Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprises: dispersed storage error encoding a data segment to produce a set of encoded data slices; dispersed storage error encoding metadata associated with the data segment to produce a set of encoded metadata slices; creating a set of data slice names for the set of encoded data slices; creating a set of metadata slice names based on the set of data slice names; sending the set of encoded data slices and the set of data slice names to a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory, wherein the DSN memory stores an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices based on a corresponding one of the set of data slice names using a first level of memory allocation; and sending the set of encoded metadata slices and the set of metadata slice names to the DSN memory, wherein the DSN memory stores an encoded metadata slice of the set of encoded metadata slices based on a corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names using a second level of memory allocation, and wherein the second level of memory allocation is smaller than the first level of memory allocation.
This invention relates to distributed storage systems, specifically methods for efficiently storing both data and associated metadata in a dispersed storage network (DSN). The problem addressed is the need to optimize storage allocation for metadata, which is typically accessed less frequently than the primary data but still requires reliable retrieval. The solution involves a two-tiered storage approach where data and metadata are encoded separately and stored with different memory allocation levels. The method begins by encoding a data segment using dispersed storage error encoding to produce a set of encoded data slices. Similarly, metadata associated with the data segment is also encoded to produce a set of encoded metadata slices. Unique slice names are generated for both the data slices and metadata slices, with the metadata slice names derived from the data slice names to maintain logical associations. The encoded data slices and their names are sent to a DSN memory, where each data slice is stored using a first, larger memory allocation level to ensure high availability and durability. The encoded metadata slices and their names are sent to the same DSN memory but stored using a second, smaller memory allocation level, reflecting the lower access frequency and storage priority of metadata. This approach reduces overall storage costs while maintaining system reliability.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprises: sending the encoded data slice and the corresponding one of the set of data slice names to a first dispersed storage (DS) unit of the DSN memory, wherein memory space of the first DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the first level of memory allocation.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprises: sending the encoded metadata slice and the corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names to a second DS unit of the DSN memory, wherein memory space of the second DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the second level of memory allocation.
This invention relates to distributed storage systems, specifically methods for managing metadata in a dispersed storage network (DSN) where memory is partitioned across multiple storage units. The problem addressed is efficient metadata storage and retrieval in a DSN where memory allocation is hierarchical, involving multiple levels of partitioning. The method involves encoding metadata into slices and assigning each slice a unique name from a set of metadata slice names. These encoded slices are then distributed to different storage units in the DSN. The memory space of each storage unit is partitioned according to a specific level of memory allocation, ensuring organized and scalable storage. The method further includes sending an encoded metadata slice and its corresponding name to a second storage unit, where the memory space of this unit is partitioned in accordance with a second level of memory allocation. This hierarchical partitioning allows for efficient metadata management, reducing redundancy and improving retrieval performance in large-scale distributed storage environments. The approach ensures that metadata is distributed across multiple storage units while maintaining consistency and accessibility.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprises: sending the encoded data slice and the corresponding one of the set of data slice names to a dispersed storage (DS) unit of the DSN memory, wherein a first portion of memory space of the DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the first level of memory allocation.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprises: sending the encoded metadata slice and the corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names to the DS unit, wherein a second portion of the memory space of the DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the second level of memory allocation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating the set of data slice names is based on at least one of: a data identifier (ID) associated with the data segment; a vault ID lookup; a directory lookup; a source name; or a vault source name.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating the set of data slice names is based on at least one of: the set of encoded data slices; a hash of the data segment; or an object number associated with a data ID.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating the set of metadata slice names comprises at least one of: toggling a data/metadata flag of a data slice name of the set of data slice names to produce a corresponding metadata slice name of the set of metadata slice names; performing an exclusive OR (XOR) logical function on the data slice name with a naming mask to produce the corresponding metadata slice name; adding a constant value to the data slice name to produce the corresponding metadata slice name; or subtracting the constant value from the data slice name to produce the corresponding metadata slice name.
9. A method comprises: determining a set of data slice names corresponding to a data segment previously stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory as a set of encoded data slices; determining a set of metadata slice names based on the set of data slice names, wherein the metadata slice names correspond to metadata previously stored in the DSN memory as a set of encoded metadata slices; retrieving at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices from the DSN memory to produce received encoded data slices utilizing the set of data slice names, wherein the DSN memory retrieves an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices based on a corresponding one of the set of data slice names using a first level of memory allocation; retrieving at least a decode threshold number of encoded metadata slices of the set of encoded metadata slices from the DSN memory to produce received encoded metadata slices utilizing the set of metadata slice names, wherein the DSN memory retrieves an encoded metadata slice of the set of encoded metadata slices based on a corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names using a second level of memory allocation, and wherein the second level of memory allocation is smaller than the first level of memory allocation; dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices to reproduce the data segment; and dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded metadata slices to reproduce the metadata.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprises: transforming the data segment utilizing a metadata function to produce transformed data in accordance with the metadata.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprises: sending the transformed data to a requesting entity.
A system and method for processing and transmitting data involves transforming data from a first format to a second format, where the transformation is based on predefined rules or parameters. The transformation may include converting data types, restructuring data fields, or applying specific formatting rules to ensure compatibility with a target system or application. The method further includes sending the transformed data to a requesting entity, which may be a user, an application, or another system. The requesting entity may have initiated the data transformation request, specifying the desired output format or providing input data for processing. The system may also validate the input data before transformation to ensure accuracy and consistency. The transformation process may involve intermediate steps such as parsing, filtering, or aggregating data to meet the requesting entity's requirements. The method ensures that data is accurately and efficiently converted to a usable format for the requesting entity, improving interoperability between different systems and applications.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices comprises: dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices based on the metadata to reproduce the data segment.
A method for dispersed storage error decoding involves processing encoded data slices to reconstruct original data segments. The technique addresses the challenge of reliably retrieving data from a distributed storage system where data is divided into encoded slices and stored across multiple nodes. The method uses metadata associated with the encoded data slices to guide the decoding process, ensuring accurate reconstruction of the original data segment. This approach enhances data integrity and retrieval efficiency in distributed storage environments by leveraging metadata to manage the decoding process, particularly in scenarios where some slices may be lost or corrupted. The method is part of a broader system for encoding and decoding data in a dispersed storage network, where data segments are split into multiple encoded slices and distributed across storage nodes. The decoding process relies on the metadata to identify and correctly reassemble the slices, enabling robust data recovery even in the presence of node failures or data loss. This technique is particularly useful in applications requiring high availability and fault tolerance, such as cloud storage, distributed databases, and backup systems.
13. A computer comprises: an interface; a non-transitory memory that stores operational instructions; and at least one processing device that executes the operational instructions, which cause the at least one processing device to: dispersed storage error encode a data segment to produce a set of encoded data slices; dispersed storage error encode metadata associated with the data segment to produce a set of encoded metadata slices; create a set of data slice names for the set of encoded data slices; create a set of metadata slice names based on the set of data slice names; send, via the interface, the set of encoded data slices and the set of data slice names to a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory, wherein the DSN memory stores an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices based on a corresponding one of the set of data slice names using a first level of memory allocation; and send, via the interface, the set of encoded metadata slices and the set of metadata slice names to the DSN memory, wherein the DSN memory stores an encoded metadata slice of the set of encoded metadata slices based on a corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names using a second level of memory allocation, and wherein the second level of memory allocation is smaller than the first level of memory allocation.
14. The computer of claim 13 , wherein executing the operational instructions further cause the at least one processing device to: send, via the interface, the encoded data slice and the corresponding one of the set of data slice names to a first dispersed storage (DS) unit of the DSN memory, wherein memory space of the first DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the first level of memory allocation.
This invention relates to distributed storage systems, specifically improving memory allocation and data management in a dispersed storage network (DSN). The problem addressed is inefficient memory utilization in DSN systems, where data slices and their corresponding names are stored without optimized partitioning, leading to wasted storage space and reduced performance. The invention describes a computer system with at least one processing device and an interface for communicating with a DSN. The system executes operational instructions to encode data into multiple data slices, each associated with a unique data slice name. The encoded data slices and their corresponding names are then sent to a first dispersed storage (DS) unit within the DSN. The memory space of this DS unit is partitioned according to a first level of memory allocation, which likely involves dividing storage into segments or tiers to improve efficiency. This partitioning ensures that data slices are stored in an organized manner, optimizing memory usage and access speed. The system may also include additional processing steps, such as generating the data slice names based on the encoded data slices and determining the first level of memory allocation based on factors like storage capacity or performance requirements. The overall goal is to enhance the storage efficiency and reliability of the DSN by structuring memory allocation dynamically.
15. The computer of claim 14 , wherein executing the operational instructions further cause the at least one processing device to: send, via the interface, the encoded metadata slice and the corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names to a second DS unit of the DSN memory, wherein memory space of the second DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the second level of memory allocation.
16. The computer of claim 13 , wherein executing the operational instructions further cause the at least one processing device to: send, via the interface, the encoded data slice and the corresponding one of the set of data slice names to a dispersed storage (DS) unit of the DSN memory, wherein a first portion of memory space of the DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the first level of memory allocation.
17. The computer of claim 16 , wherein executing the operational instructions further cause the at least one processing device to: send, via the interface, the encoded metadata slice and the corresponding one of the set of metadata slice names to the DS unit, wherein a second portion of the memory space of the DS unit is partitioned in accordance with the second level of memory allocation.
18. The computer of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processing device functions to create the set of data slice names based on at least one of: a data identifier (ID) associated with the data segment; a vault ID lookup; a directory lookup; a source name; or a vault source name.
19. The computer of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processing device functions to create the set of data slice names based on at least one of: the set of encoded data slices; a hash of the data segment; or an object number associated with a data ID.
20. The computer of claim 13 , wherein the at least one processing device functions to create the set of metadata slice names by at least one of: toggling a data/metadata flag of a data slice name of the set of data slice names to produce a corresponding metadata slice name of the set of metadata slice names; performing an exclusive OR (XOR) logical function on the data slice name with a naming mask to produce the corresponding metadata slice name; adding a constant value to the data slice name to produce the corresponding metadata slice name; or subtracting the constant value from the data slice name to produce the corresponding metadata slice name.
A system and method for managing data and metadata in a distributed storage environment addresses the challenge of efficiently organizing and retrieving data slices and their associated metadata. The system includes a computer with at least one processing device that generates a set of metadata slice names from a set of data slice names. The processing device creates these metadata slice names using one or more of the following techniques: toggling a data/metadata flag within a data slice name to produce a corresponding metadata slice name, applying an exclusive OR (XOR) logical function between the data slice name and a naming mask to generate the metadata slice name, adding a constant value to the data slice name to derive the metadata slice name, or subtracting a constant value from the data slice name to produce the metadata slice name. This approach ensures that metadata is systematically linked to its corresponding data slices, facilitating efficient storage, retrieval, and management in distributed systems. The method enhances data integrity and accessibility by maintaining a clear and consistent relationship between data and metadata through these naming conventions.
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April 6, 2021
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